State and Federal tax increases are one more reason to quit - March 23rd, 2009
Effective March 1, Arkansas cigarette taxes increased by 56 cents per pack. An additional federally implemented tax begins in April and will increase the price per pack by 62 cents. In addition to the Arkansas excise tax increase and the Federal tax increase, the tobacco industry is also increasing its prices. With the cost of smoking on the rise, there’s no better time to quit than now. The high cost of cigarettes means smokers are spending more money on a dangerous addiction; money that could be spent on essential items such as food and clothing.
Cigarette smokers not only risk their own health and that of those around them, they also place a large financial burden on the state’s health care system. By a conservative estimate, Arkansas spends more than $620 million a year in health care costs directly related to cigarette smoking.
The cigarette tax increase in Arkansas will help to provide a statewide trauma system and improve other health care programs in Arkansas. The package offers something for everyone and will benefit every Arkansan: flu shots for every Arkansan who wants one, health insurance for small businesses, cancer research and treatment, and stroke research and treatment.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids estimates that the tax will result in an 8.7 percent decrease in youth smoking. Projections also indicate that the tax will prevent 15,400 Arkansas children from becoming addicted adult smokers and reduce the number of smoking-affected births by 3,000 over the next five years.
The cigarette tax increase will not only help fund statewide health programs, it will also encourage many smokers to stop using tobacco altogether, resulting in a healthier population. A healthier population leads to lower health care costs for every Arkansan.
